Composition and method

ABSTRACT

An aqueous gel suitable for ingestion by a cat or dog comprising,  
     a. an effective amount of a gelling agent,  
     b. an effective amount of a cat or dog palatability enhancing agent, and  
     c. at least about 85 wt. % water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Dogs and cats suffer from numerous disorders of the lower urinarytract. Among these are idiopathic urinary tract disease, crystalluria,bacterial cystitis, urolithiasis, idiopathic obstruction, urethal plugs,and the like. Lower Urinary Tract Disease (LUTD) is a disorder common tocats. Urolithiasis, i.e., stone formation in the urinary tract, is acondition commonly found in both dogs and cats. Although the etiology ofthese disorders are not completely clear, at least some of the factorsassociated with these disorders appear to be concentrated urine (i.e.,high urine specific gravity) or high mineral supersaturation of urine.Lowering mineral concentrations in the urine by increasing urineproduction through increased water consumption can reduce the risk ofurinary crystal or stone formation, assist in dissolving certain typesof formed urinary tract stones, as well as reduce the occurrence offeline LUTD. In addition, increased urine volume initiates more frequentvoiding. Frequent voiding further reduces risk of urinary tractinfection, crystalluria and urolithiasis.

[0002] We have found that a high moisture palatable gel cansignificantly increase total water intake and urine production in acompanion pet such as a dog or cat. Thus, it can be used to preventand/or treat lower urinary tract disorder(s) including: crystalluria,urolithiasis, cystitis, idiopathic obstruction, urethal plugs, andfeline LUTD in a companion pet such as a dog or cat. In addition, it canbe an aide to increasing total water intake and improving hydration inconditions such as diabetes, renal disease, pregnancy, lactation, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with the invention there is a gel suitable foringestion by a dog or cat which comprises,

[0004] a. an effective amount of a gelling agent,

[0005] b. an effective amount of a dog or cat palatability enhancingagent, and

[0006] c. at least about 85 wt. % water.

[0007] A further aspect of the invention is wherein the gel is providedto the cat or dog in conjunction with a diet meeting the nutritionalneeds of the dog or cat.

[0008] A still further aspect of the invention is providing the gel to adog or cat for the purpose of at least assisting in preventing lowerurinary tract disorder(s) including crystalluria, urolithiasis,cystitis, LUTD, idiopathic obstruction, urethal plugs, and the like, insaid dog or cat. This is particularly useful in dogs or cats at risk forlower urinary tract disorder(s); that is, seem to have a tendency todevelop those diseases.

[0009] Another aspect of the invention is a method of treating a dog orcat with lower urinary tract disorder which comprises providing a gel ofthe invention to a dog or cat having such disorders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The usage of the gelled water brings about a much higher totalwater intake for dogs and cats, lower urinary specific gravity, and acorrespondingly higher urine output for them compared to without thegel. Not only is the gelled water very effective in increasing totalwater intake and urine output but it results in more sightlysurroundings since there is no water bowl and splatter, if desired.Additionally, it provides an efficient way of providing water to the petwhile traveling or away from its usual settled surroundings.Furthermore, it provides pet owners with a treat of very low energycontent. This is particularly useful for pet such as cats and dogs withproblems of overweight or obese or other overweight-concerningconditions such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovasculardiseases. In addition, a highly palatable water treat will help improvewater balance in animals having higher protein diets and/or havingincreased water needs, such as diabetes, lactation, exercise, andgrowth.

[0011] The gelling agent employed is any gelling agent that provides agel with at least 85 wt % water and is acceptable to a dog or cat whenorally delivered. Examples of gelling agents that can be employedinclude gelatin, carrageenan, agar, alginates, pectins, xanthans, guars,gum arabic, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, tara gum, gellan gum, pullulan,curdlan, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC),methylcellulose (MC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), chitosan,gum ghatti, locust bean, konjac flour, starch and the like.

[0012] Generally, a palatability enhancer (flavorant) is employed aswell in order to overall enhance the palatability and overcome anynegative flavor effects the gelling agent may have to the cat or dog.There are numerous such materials available include animal digest,animal hydrolysates, animal internal organs (such as liver, lungs, andheart), meats (such as beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and turkey), sea foods(such as fish, crab, shrimp), dairy products (such as milk and cheese),yeast, peptides, amino acids, nucleotides, fat, oil, artificial meatand/or sea food flavors, maillard reactants, sugars, plant extracts, andother aromas nature and/or artificial that are attractive to cats ordogs.

[0013] The quantity of gelling agent employed is the amount sufficientto bring about a gel that maintains its shape so as to provide an objectwhich is readily eaten by a cat or dog. By maintaining its shape, meansan integral structure that can wobble such as “jello” but stillmaintains its integrity and does not become liquid or flow. Generally,from about 0.05 to about 2 wt. % of the gelling agent as wt. % of thegel, desirably about 0.2 to about 1.5 wt. % can be employed.

[0014] The amount of the palatability enhancer is sufficient to bringabout a palatability enhancement. This is generally between about 0.1and 3 wt. % desirably a minimum wt. % of about 0.3 or 0.5 wt. % of thegel.

[0015] The amount of water in the gel is generally at least about 85 wt.%, desirably at least about 90 or 95 wt. % or higher.

[0016] Other components can be in the gel as well, for example nutrientssuch as vitamins and minerals used as supplements, preservatives,colorant(s), as well as active agents including antibacterial agent(s),anti-inflammatory agent(s), antiparasitic(s), antioxidant(s), herbaland/or botanical extracts and the like, all in effective quantities.Thus, the gel can function as a delivery system for supplements as wellas active ingredients.

[0017] The gels of the invention are readily prepared by standardmethods. For example, mixing all the components into a container andstirring under conventional or elevated temperatures wheneverappropriate, then filling a final shaped container (gel shape) andletting the gel set. More specifically, the following components areused. TABLE 1 Component % Water 95.48 Kappa carrageenan 1.5 Chickenhydrolysate 2.0 Brewer yeast 0.5 Salt 0.3 Potassium sorbate 0.2 FD&C RedNo. 40 0.02 Total 100.00

[0018] Processing Steps

[0019] 1. Mix the ingredients in a heating container

[0020] 2. Heat the mixture to 160° F. while stirring

[0021] 3. Keep the mixture at 160° F. for 15 minutes

[0022] 4. Fill desired shaped mold with the mixture

[0023] 5. Let the gel cool and set about 2 hours

[0024] Below are examples of the invention.

[0025] Overall, dogs and cats can experience significant increases intotal water intake and urine production as well as a significantdecrease in urine specific gravity when utilizing the gel of thisinvention with a diet meeting nutritional requirements. Utilizing acanned diet, the dog or cat can experience a total water intake increaseof at least about 20, desirably at least about 70 or 80%, and a urineproduction increase of at least about 20, desirably at least about 90 or100 wt. %. Urine specific gravity can decrease by at least about 20, 30or desirably at least about 40%. Utilizing a dry diet, the cat or dogcan experience a total water intake increase of at least about 15, 20desirably at least about 25% and a urine production increase of at leastabout 20, or desirably at least about 30 or 40 wt. %. Urine specific isgravity can decrease by at least about 10, 15 or desirably at leastabout 20%.

EXAMPLE 1

[0026] A crossover study design was used and the study period was eightweeks. Eight adult cats were given deionized water ad libitum and eithera canned or dry cat food that was complete and balanced in nutrition. Inaddition to the food, the gel was provided to the cats in the test groupwhile cats in control group received no gel. At the completion of thestudy, all cats received all diet and gel combinations. The treatmentassignments are described below.

[0027] Eight cats were divided into four groups of two each. For thefirst week, two groups of cats were given canned food and two groups ofcats were given dry food. In the second week, the same diets weremaintained for each group. However, gel provided to one group of twocats having canned food and one group of two cats having dry food (testgroup). This was provided for one hour twice a day (08:30a.m.-09:30a.m.and 01:00p.m.-02:00p.m.). The other groups did not receive the gel(control). In the third week, the same diet was maintained but with nogel. In the fourth week, the control group and test groups werereversed. The control group from week two was now given the gel whilethe test group from week two was not given the gel. In the fifth week,no gel was given but the two groups of cats that had been on dry dietwere now given canned and the two groups that had been on canned werenow given dry food. In the sixth week, one group in each diet was giventhe gel while the other was not. In the seventh week, no gel wasprovided. In the eighth week, the group that did not have the gel in thesixth week was provided with the gel and the gel was withheld from thegroup which received the gel in the sixth week.

[0028] In this manner, each group of two cats had received the dry dietand the canned diet as well as receiving the gel or not receiving thegel.

[0029] During this study period, the intake of water from all sources(gel, water and food), output of urine, and urine specific gravity weremeasured for each cat. Other parameters measured in the study includeweekly body weight, daily food intake, urine pH, and stool quality.

[0030] With respect to cats having the canned diet, the average totalwater intake increased by 70%; urine production increased by 89 wt. %;and urine specific gravity decreased by 35% when the gel was availablecompared to not having the gel available. All these changes arestatistically significant (p<0.01).

[0031] With respect to cats having the dry diet, the total water intakeincreased by 20%; urine production increased by 32 wt. %; and urinespecific gravity decreased by 16% for cats receiving the gel. All thesechanges are statistically significant (p<0.01).

[0032] The other parameters measured, i.e., body weight, food intake,urine pH, and stool quality, were not affected by the gel.

1. An aqueous gel suitable for ingestion by a cat or dog comprising, (a)an effective amount of a gelling agent, (b) an effective amount of a cator dog palatability enhancing agent, and (c) at least about 85 wt. %water.
 2. The aqueous gel of claim 1 wherein the gelling agent is kappacarrageenan.
 3. The aqueous gel of claim 1 wherein there is at leastabout 85 wt. % water.
 4. A diet meeting the nutritional requirement of acat or dog in association with an aqueous gel of claim
 1. 5. The diet ofclaim 4 wherein the gelling agent is kappa carrageenan.
 6. The diet ofclaim 4 wherein there is at least about 85 wt. % water.
 7. A method forat least assisting in preventing lower urinary tract disorders in a cator dog which comprises feeding a cat or dog the aqueous gel of claim 1.8. The method of claim 7 wherein the gelling agent is kappa carrageenan.9. The method of claim 7 where the aqueous gel is at least about 85 wt.% water.
 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the lower urinary tractdisorder is selected from the group consisting of urolithiasis,crystalluria, cystitis, Feline or Canine Lower Urinary Tract Disease,and urethal plugs.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the condition isurolithiasis.
 12. A method for treatment of lower urinary tractdisorders in a cat or dog which comprises feeding a cat or dog anaqueous gel of claim
 1. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the gellingagent is kappa carrageenan.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein theaqueous gel is at least 85 wt. % water.
 15. The method of claim 12wherein the lower urinary tract disorder is selected from the groupconsisting of urolithiasis, crystalluria, cystitis, idiopathicobstruction, and urethal plugs.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein thedisorder is urolithiasis.
 17. A method for assisting in providingincreased total water consumption to a cat or dog in need thereof whichcomprises feeding a cat or dog an aqueous gel of claim
 1. 18. The methodof claim 17 wherein the cat or dog has diabetes, is lactating,exercising, or growing.